Heritage Home Tour June 2

One of the houses on the Vancouver Heritage House Tour. Photo courtesy Vancouver Heritage Foundation.

On a list of Vancouverites’ top complaints – besides rain and public transit prices – is the city’s apparent ruthlessness when it comes to protecting the young settlement’s heritage.

Happily, some homeowners take it upon themselves to preserve Vancouver history and, often, improve upon it. And you can see some of Vancouver’s finest heritage homes on a tour Sunday June 2. More details after the jump.

Photo courtesy Vancouver Heritage Foundation.

Twelve separate homes are part of the tour; five are all in one neighbourhood, Grandview. And for all you greenies, one house will open its backyard to help organizers Vancouver Heritage Foundation hold its first “info fair.” Experts in conservation will talk about elements of restoration, including stained glass, energy audits, and lath and plaster.

This year also features guests who will talk about utilizing outdoor space. Former Vancouver city councilor Peter Ladner, author of Urban Food Revolution, will talk about urban farming, while a group of master gardeners will discuss what to do about those pesky spittlebugs (tiny green sapsuckers) and other urgent matters. Ladner is also giving a pre-tour urban farming lecture May 21 at Unitarian Church (949 W 49th Avenue at Oak St.). Go here for tickets.

One of the highlights of the tour, now in its 11th year, is a stone-clad house with a wrap-around porch in Mount Pleasant. The house has been completely restored with a new entrance hall, paneled rooms, coffered ceilings, stained glass and beautiful fireplaces. A new kitchen addition has been added at the rear.

Some heritage home tour do’s and don’t’s:

Interior photography is strictly prohibited.
No children under 6, and all attendees must have a ticket.
No food, drink, pets, smoking or cell phone use on tour properties.
Washroom facilities are NOT provided at tour homes.

Vancouver Heritage Foundation’s 2013 Heritage House Tour
Sunday, June 2/10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Tickets: $40 (not including taxes and postage)

To purchase tickets for VHF’s Heritage House Tour visit:

www.vancouverheritagefoundation.org or call 604 264 9642

Article source: http://www.insidevancouver.ca/2013/05/17/heritage-home-tour/